Method of making wrought fittings



P. D. WURZBURGER 2,827,007

METHOD OF MAKING WROUGHT FITTINGS Original Filed Aug. 23, 1947 March as, 1953 v 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 m m m m flu D.Wurg kaiser BY J A T TOR NE Y5 United States Eatent Q METHOD OF MAKING WROUGHT FKTHNGS Pauli). Wurzburger, Cleveland Heights, Ghio, assignor to NIBCO, Ina, a corporation of Indiana Original application August 23, 1947, Serial No. 7763-5 3,

now Patent No. 2,603,175, dated July 15, 1952. Divided and this application June 11, 1952, Serial No. 292,783

9 Claims. (Cl. 113-44) This invention relates to metal working and i .ore particularly to improved methods of forming wrought T fittings, crosses or other branch fittings from tubular stock.

This application is a division of my co-pending patent application entitled Method and Means for Making Wrought Fttings, Serial No. 77%,293, filed August 23, 1947 (now Patent 2,603,175).

My invention may be considered in general as an improvement upon prior methods in which a tubular blank is subjected to the combined forces or" filler material under pressure and direct axial compression which cause the metal to fiow form the desired hollow branch fitting. In such a forming process the volume of the resultant fitting is smaller than the volume of the original blank. At least in part this shrinkage in volume is due to the tendency of the metal walls to become thicker.

When such a diminution in volume of a fitting results during the forming operation, pressure of the tiller material, which is usually virtually incompressible tends to increase beyond bounds. The result is the bursting strength of the fitting is exceeded and any unsupported portion of the blank tends to rupture. This can be obviated by relieving the pressure of the filler material before it can reach this upper limit.

Several methods of the prior art attempt to provide for pressure relief by permitting liquid filler material to escape from the partially wrought blank by means of preloaded relief valves. Because of the inertia efiects inherent in such a method of pressure relief, the internal fluid pressure is subject to undesirable and abrupt variations, making control of the forming operation difficult if not impossible. Delayed pressure relief invites momentarily high pressures which often are destructive; overrelieving results in loss of pressure when the same is needed for proper forming of the fitting. The surges in pressure resulting from the use of relief valves are therefore to be avoided if consistently satisfactory results to be achieved.

Another proposed solution to the problem suggests the use of a plastic filler material of high viscosity such as lead with a provision for pressure relief by permitting excess material to escape from the blank through a perforation in the wall, such perforation being located where the end of the lateral branch is to be formed. This expedient is disadvantageous in commercial production for the loading of such a perforated blank is inconvenient, and, what is more important, it is very din cult to maintain correct internal fluid pressures when a portion of the filler material can escape outwardly without an opposing pressure to set a lower limit to tue internal filler pressure. Another drawback to the use of a perforated blank is that the perforation tends to tear, especially if the edges are ragged, causing injury to the fitting and complete loss of control over the forming operation.

Yet another proposal to meet the problem of diminishing volume is to prevent wall thickening by supporting the blank positively during the for operation by ice internal supporting plugs. This proposal is impracticable for commercial production; for, first, it is difiicult if not impossible to prevent thickening of the wall of the blank at the zone where the intercommunicating branches intersect. Secondly, if loosely fitting plugs are used the metal will first thicken to fill the clearance between the plug and the blank, and thirdly, the use of closely fitting plugs presents diificulties of insertion into and removal from the blank.

A general object of my invention is to provide methods and means for forming hollow tubular fittings such as T-fittings or the like in which the difiiculties of the prior art described above are substantially overcome. It is therefore among the objects of my invention to provide a method for making such fittings out of tubular stock by creating desirable internal filler pressures in the blank throughout the forming operation. More specifically it is an object to provide that the rate of displacement of filler material be kept in harmony with the rate of change in volume of the blank or piece during the working operation as by working the filler at a rate in relation to the rate of working the piece that is proportional to the rate of diminution of volume of the blank from initial to final form.

Another object is to provide a filler material of novel and advantageous properties which can be handled, inserted into and removed from the work piece and/or can be precompressed in the work piece and which is readily soluble in water; which has a low melting point so that no problem of amalgamation or cleaning is involved and which has desirable lubricating and viscosity properties.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will more fully appear from the following description of certain preferred and modified forms thereof reference being bad to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional partially fragmentary and partially diagrammatic view of a tubular blank and forming apparatus at the beginning of the forming operation according to a preferred form of my invention;

Figure 2 is a view similar to that of Figure 1 showing the end of the forming operation;

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of an arrangement of the forming apparatus;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 1 of a modified form of my invention with the apparatus showing the beginning of the forming operation;

Figure 5 is a view corresponding to Figure 4 showing the end of the forming operation;

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure l of another form of my invention with the apparatus at the beginning of the forming operation; and

Figure 7 is a view corresponding to Figure 6 at the end of the forming operation.

Exemplary forms of my invention contemplate forming branch fittings by applying forming pressures directly upon the end of a tubular blank and also applying pressure upon substantially incompressible filler material confined within the blank in relative amounts and rates which produce desirable flow and working of the metal. I prefer that filler material pressures will remain desirably high but below the bursting strength of the blank adjacent the weakest point thereof. Also I prefer that a preliminary pressure be built up in the filler material prior to the exertion of metal flowing pressure upon the ends of the blank so that the filler material will tend to act incompressibly during the working of the blank. Precompression of the filler may also tend to stress at least that portion of the blank adjacent the branch to be formed before or possibly simultaneously with the of the die. as a result of the working'presently to r the same is'not to be taken by way of limitation but rather by way of exemplification-of the principles of my invention as the same may beapplied with like facility to the making of crosses and other branch forms not so specifically illustrated and described. i

Referring now to Figures 1, 2, and 3 of the drawings 7 the tubular blank 1 preferably in the right circular cylindrical formof the metal or alloy tobe worked is disposed in the sectional die 2, one half only being shown, which i with its companion half not shown provides a suitable T- shaped channel 4 comprising a head portion 5 and a lateral branch "or leg portion extending at right angles thereto; the tubular blank 1 being initially disposed in the head portion 5 of the'channelas shown-in Figure l. V

The die may be divided along "any one of several parting lines but I find it advantageous to split it longitudinally and symmetrically as shown, using centering pins 3 to align theseparate halves, although .the die might be split through the head portion of the channel in a plane nor- .mal to the branch fi substantially along 'the line 8 as suggested in'Fi gure 3 if that were desired.

The tubular blank preferably comprises workable meta such as fairly'soft copper, aluminum, mild steel or other metals or alloys. which will flow easily and which are 7 extrudable under the influences and conditions to be here-' 2,827,007 r r f 4 Y lar weights. Pol yethyleneglycol haying an average mo lecular weight of about 3000 is a hard translucent waxlike solid somewhat resembling paraffin waxin appearance and texture, which is soluble in water and which has a melting point around 50 'C. When its molecular weight is increased to between 6000 and 7500 the melting point increases to about 58 to 62'? C. It is still soluble in water and its viscosity is substantially increased. 1 Below an average molecular weight of about 700 the polyethylene glycols are liquids at roomtempcrziturc. vWithin. this range of choice from among the polyethylene glycols and mixtures thereof -anumber of advantages persist,

namely, the fact that-the fillermay be -very easily removed from the finished work piece 'by'virtue of. its-solubility inwater or other solvents at room temperature or alternatively by melting the filler at low temperatures which are harmless to the metal of the finished piece. Moreover the polyethylene glycols .do not tin the interior of the workpiece nor do they leave insoluble residues which must be removed as by det'inning, de-greasing or tie-waxing as is often the case with other known filler materials. Moreover thepolyethylene glycols particularly in the range of molecular weights from about 1000 to, 7000 have advantageous'lubricating qualities which assist in the extrusionroperation and facilitate the flow of metal and the fiow of the filler material during the working of V the blank. The filler materialof my preference'may be inafter more fully set forth. The eificacy 'of my inventionadmits of the use of other desirable metals and materials, the working of which'has been regarded as too diffi- V cult for practicability. It will be'understood that the split halves of the die 2 may be opened and closed to "permit 7 theinsertion 'of the blank 1 in the firs't instance and'the removal of the wrought piece P bysuitable opening, closing and clamping mechanisms which are known inthe 'art but which are not specifically shown herein. The Wrought pieceIP is shown in Figure 2 "at the completion of the working thereof; the "ends of'the tubular blank 1 having been forced toward each other and the branch or leg 10 having been forcibly extruded into the branch channel '6 fully. described. a V 7 As indicated above the vpractice of my invention includes the employment of filler mat'eria1T11 disposed interiorly inthe tubular .blank 1 in the ifirst' instance' and thereafter forcibly constrained to fiow fromits original positieninto'the leg portion I0 'of'the'piece as suggested by comparison of Figures 1 and 2. The filler material thatl'prefer to employ is characterized byits ability to flow or spread under pressure by' that degree of fluidity,

' elasticity or viscosity most suitable for working different metalsor alloys for 'the practice of the different forms of my invention presently to be described andby the ease with which it-may be formed ffor use with. the tubular blank and the ease 'with which it may be removed from th'e work piece. While I do'not disclaim the. use of filler 7 materials ranging from liquids to lead, lead alloys, Woods metal, wax and the like in'the practice of specific'r'o'rrns of my invention for such specific utility as may be had.

fromsuch filler materials, mypreferenceis to use one or another of the polyethylen'e ,glycols or mixtures thereof havin g'the characteristics of fluidity, viscosity, strength or weakness that coacts most'efiicientlyin the form'of method employed and with 'the'material to beworked.

. jThe polyethylene -glycols of the general formula 7 HO, CH (CH OCH CH OH having molecular weights of theorderof about 100010 about..700 0.are

. w'axdike' solids-whose meltinglpoints and viscosity increase substantiallyjin proportion to their molecular weights and whose solubilities in water or organic solvents are roughlyf inversely-iproportional to their molecube more sure is applied by the mandrels and the mid-portion where duced. Secondly, itis practicable and at'all times adr vantageous to support those portions of the blank which piece. 7 Moreover by using substantially the minimum vol J ume of filler. material, I am able to create and maintain cast directly into the blank or the mid-portion thereof as shown in Figure l, or alternativelyit may be pre-cas't or otherwiseformed into slugs or pellets of; a desired size suitable for manual. ins'ertion into and fit tubular blank. V 1

As shown-in Figures 1 and 2, l preferto employ a quantity of filler material 11 not greatly in excess of the volume of the lateral branchor branches that are to be extruded or formed from the tubular blank such as the branch or legin shown in Figure 2. I find it desirable V to use a minimum volume of filler material sufficient to V fill substantially only that middle portion of the blank which is to be worked ratherthan any. greater portion of length fora number of reasons." Firstly, the cost and expense of handling and recovering filler material is reare networked ornot substantially worked by rams such as t erarns 13 and'14, shown. in Figures 1 and 2, which have a close sliding fit with the internal surface of the blank and constrain these so-called unworked portions of the blank to their desired size and shape m ore e'fli ciently in many instances than filler ma'teri'al's whose char;

acteristics may bebest selected-for the specific purpose of. working the work parts ofthe material of the finished a much morenearly uniformly desirable pressure through out the whole of the filler material than would otherwise be the caseespecially'where it is desirable to use a filler material of high viscosity in which 7 a large pressure gradient would be developedbetwe'en the ends Wherepres-i pressure is sought tobe developed between the filler mate'- rialand the portion of the blank to'be worked.

7 In this preferred form of my invention I provide two oppositely acting hollow .plungers 19 and 20 arranged to" V engage the opposite ends of the blank lfand' exert" the necessary forming and extruding pressures the'reupon.

vPreferably those portions of the cndsofihe plungers 19 and Zil that enter the ends'of, the head part 6 oftlie channel of the die have alclose slidingfit therewith and'th'ese;

portions of the'plung ers preferablyrhaveawall thickness 1';

substantially equal to the Wall thickness 'of' the tubular blank 1.. The hollow plun'gers '19 and 20 haves'traight cylindrical-bores 21 and'22 of approximately iihe same diameter as the internal'diam'eter of the blank ;1 withina which bores, rams 13 and 14 are independently 'sliclably within the movable in a close sliding and mutually supporting fit therewith. The rams l3 and 14 also have a close sliding fit with the interior of the bla-nt of the work piece where with to be movable thereinto and, in the first instance, Figure 1, engage the filler material between their opposed ends and at all times confine the filler material to the space between their opposed ends in the middle portion of the blank and/ or the extruded leg as the size of that space is determined by the position and movement of the rams 13 and 14 independently of but more or less contemporaneously with the movement or" the plungers l9 and 243.

As shown diagrammatically in Figure 3 fiuid motors 24 and 26 are operatively connected with the plungers l9 and respectively for effecting and controlling the movement thereof and fluid motors 2'7 and 2d opera tively connected with the rams l3 and respectively wherewith the rams and t e plungers may be given whatever independent or correlated movements and forces are desired. Means not shown are preferably provided to in sure that the plungers it and a l move toward the center of the die 2 at substantially the same speeds and through the same distances while working on he ends of the branch 1 and the strokes of the plungers l9 and 2% are centered up with respect to the die 2 wherewith the plungers will move symmetrically and simultaneously with respect to the transverse center of the die and will center the blank if the same should be placed in the die asymmetrically before the forming operation. The cylinders of the fluid motors 27 and 2.3 may be mounted on fixed supports or as suggested in Fi ure 3 may be carried on the remote ends of the plungers l9 and 2t? and be movable therewith; the rams l3 and 14 being connected with the pistons of the motors 27' and 2-3 whereby to have movement independently of the plungers 19 and 2d. The cylinders of the motors 2d and 2e are mounted on fixed supports and the pistons thereof are preferably directly connected to the plungers 1.9 and 2G. Preferably liquids are employed in the motors 2d and 2s and appropriate hydraulic mechanisms and connections as diagrammatically indicated provide for the proper admission and discharge of fluid from the opposite sides of the pistons to obtain forcible forward and backward motions of the plungers l? and 24) as may be desired to carry out my method. Preferably the motors 2'7 and are pneumatic and with the aid of accumulators 2'} and 3%, and appropriate connections and control mechanisms, not shown, may be caused to provide substantially constant pneumatic pressure on the rams l3 and 14 for their forward strokes and such pressures as may be desired for the withdrawal strokes thereof in the sequences presently to be described.

The blank 1 being disposed in the head portion of the channel of the die as shown in Figure l and die head being closed, the ends of the plungers i9 and 25 in thei initial inward movement engage the ends of the blank 1 whilst the rams 13 and 1d engage the opposite ends of the body or plug of filler material ll, as shown in Figure 1, completely confining the tiller material in the first instance and throughout the whole of the forming operation. As mentioned above, i prefer that the rams l3 and 14 begin to compress the tiller material slightly before the power is applied to the prungers l? and 2b to begin the working operation. The parts being substantially in the position shown in Figure 1 with the rams compressing and confining the tiller material and developing therein that pressure which may be substantially maintained throughout the whole working operation, power is then applied to the plungers l9 and as sufficient to cause the metal of the walls of the blank to flow toward the middle thereof and into the leg branch 6 of the die until the desired amount of extrusion of the middle branch of the workpiece has taken place, see Figure 2. During the working strokes of the rams and pluugers the speeds 6 and movements of the pair of rams toward each other as well as the speed and movements of the pair of plungers toward each other will preferably be uniformly the same, but the relative speeds of the rams in relation to the plungers will be different so that the flow of filler material from the blank or head portion of the T into the extruded branch will never develop a deleterious high pressure nor fall below an advantageous working pressure. The average rate of inward movement of the rams will be less than the average rate of inward movement of plungers in the same proportion that the volume of the finished work piece P bears to the volume of the blank 1. Reference to the average rates of movements or speeds of the rams of the plungers from the beginning to the ends of their worldng strokes contemplates that within the working strokes their particular and instantaneous speeds may depart from their average speed since at dilferent times Within a working stroke the rate of change in the volume relationship may vary and tend to create changes in pressure in the filler material. However, I have observed that it is practicable to give the rams and plungers respectively substantially constant predetermined relative speeds for their working strokes at the relative rates above mentioned as by positive linked or geared interconnection, not shown. I prefer, however, that the pluugers be given the force and power required to cause the metal to fiOW with desirably high speed while the rams be caused to exert upon the filler material that substantially constant high pressure sat short of a bursting pressure; the summation of the efforts of both rams and plungcrs thus being a minimum in respect to the work that is done, i. e., the ixetal is worked with the least gross effort and in so d0ig the relative average as Well as the relative instantaneous speeds of the rams compared to'plungers approximates the ratio of the final volume of t e piece F to the initial volume of the blank 1. influencing the rams and plungers to have the movements and to exert the ressures mentioned above taken with the employmen or" a de"ably small mass of filler material and y L} the confinement of the Whole mass of filler material between ends of the rams, not permitting any of the mass of filler to escape or be relieved from its confinement nor be subjected in any part to substantially less than the desired pressure during the whole time of working the piece, gives, as l have observed, most satisfactory results in a number of respects which taken collectively enhance the product and facilitate the working and making thereof. Thus the initial and continued uniform collaboration of the filler material in the working operation resists undesirable tendencies or incipient tendencies of the metal to wrinkle, thicken, thin out, burst or shear as it might and often does where the filler material is not caused to play its full and best part in relation to the forces and movements given to the ends of the blank to sheet the direct working thereof by the plungers.

in this form of my invention 1 find it practicable to employ polyethylene glycol of the lower range of molecular weights mentioned above, i. e., of lesser viscosity since the desired flow and action of the filler material in the piece is largely characterized by the qualities of a liquid. in fact I have found it not impracticable in some instances to employ a liquid for a filer material in connection with this form or" my invention, introducing liquid filler through a drilled hole 31 that may be provided for such purpose in one of the rams l3 as shown in dotted lines in Figure 1 when the parts are in substantially the position shown in Figure l whereupon the passage 31 would be positively closed to hold and contain the liquid filler material in the same space occupied by the plastic filler material ll so that the liquid so introduced would play the same part and do substantially the same work in the same way as the plastic or relative solid filler material in the above described sequence of events, in

LL L113 other forms of my invention to be described below a higher viscosity of filler material appears as presently advised to be more desirable for reasonswhich will therein more fully appear. In the suggested use of liquid or low viscosity fluid filler material in the preferred form of my invention it is prudent to gain or preserve the advantages adeleterious amount of leakage of fillerfrom the blank prior to and/or in the beginning of the working strokes of the rams. facilitates the preservation of the same or substantially the same function, mode of operation and results with respect to the work and action of the filler as that above described wherein the viscosity of the filler was taken to be such that its leakage would be negligible when the rams first developed a substantial pressure thereupon and therein prior to the thickening of the walls by the plungers to more efiectively seal the space'or clearance between the ends of the rams and the ends of the blank.

In this preferred form of my invention and as indicated in Figure 2 the stroke of each of "the plungers from the beginning to the end of the working operation will cornprise the distance S1 and the stroke of each of the rams during the same interval and operation will comprise the lesser distance S2. Since the outside diameter of each of the rams is substantially equal to the inside diameter of the blank the displacement of volume of'the blank is a direct function of the stroke S1 of the'plungers and the displacement of filler material is a direct function of the stroke S2 of the rams. ject that'the displacement of filler into the cxtrude'd leg be not excessive but on the contrary be at such a beneficient and/or relatively diminished rate in comparison with the reduction of the length of the blank, i. e., the

head portion of the piece, as to preserve the extruded leg of the piece against bursting, I cause the stroke S2 of the rams to have the same proportionate relation to the stroke S1 of the plungers as the volume of the finished work piece P bears to the original volume of the blank 1.

That is to say,

" finished piece P is to the original volume of the tubular blank 1. By either definition, assuming that the working strokes of the rams andplungers respectivelybegin at the same time and continue throughout the same interval of time, then as above mentioned'the average speed of the rams is to the average speed of the plungers asIS2 is to S1 in all cases where the ramsand'plungers'both dis- Modifying the initial sequence in this way Thus to carry out my obt of the piece from tubular blank'to finished form to be blank are also snugly supported in the channel of the die,

these things will greatly limit or reduce that part of the loss of volume arising from thethickening of the walls of the blank especially at and adjacent the ends thereof where the ends of the plungersbear thereupon. Insofar as this rate of loss of volume tends to be rapid at the beginning of the working stroke of theplungers, this factor is much diminished in this preferred form of my invention. It may be mentioned in passing that the initial disposition of the ends of the rams as far as practicable into the blank consistent with the desired volume of filler material for the branch or branches to be extruded, goes hand in hand with the advantage and desirability of employing the minimum practicable volume of filler material.

Another factor bearing upon the instantaneous rate of change or reduction in volume of the piece is'the sharpness of the corners of the intersection between the head and branch leg; the sharper, and more abrupt corners tending to thicken up more than the more rounded and less abrupt corners around which the metal of the blank is caused to flow. This thickening or tendency to thicken as to the absolute speed with which the work is done. On the whole my invention tends of itself, for some or all' the reasons above mentioned, and as hereinafter Wlll more fully appear, to cause the rate of reduction of volume of the piece to be substantially uniform or more uniform' I than prior practice throughout the working stroke and also tends to cause the diminution or change in volume small or relatively small compared with prior practices. For these reasons it is practicable as mentioned above to drive the rams and plungers positively at predetermined rates of speed but because of variations in stock, working conditions and other things not always predictable I prefor to drive the plungers substantially positively and to placethe same cross-sectional area of volume of filler and volume of tubular blank respectively; V

The change or reduction in the volume or cubical conlate about within the confines of this specification. Mention of -a few factors will illustrate rtherpoint. ample, where the ends-of the rams extend for a long distance inwardly of the ends ofthe' blank, as shown in Figure 1, and have a snug fit With the internal surface of V the blank throughout'a large portion of the int ernal area thereof, and assuming that the external surfaces of the For ex-' 'tent of the blank or work piece does not necessarily take place "at an exactly constant rate during the working of Figure 4, Le,

drive the rams by exerting thereupon substantially uniform and constant pressure wherewith to exert substantlally constant pressure onthe filler and permit relative, if only minute, changes in the differences of the speeds of the rams and plunger-s. V

A modified form of my; invention is illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 and contemplates the use of hollow'plungers 34 and similar in essential respects and functions.

to the plungers 19 and 24 of the form of Figures 1-3 and operated in substantially the same way, but differing in structure in that they are provided with walls ofgreater thickness than the thickness offlthe wall of the blank 1 whereby to be stronger than the plungers 19 and 20. Plungers 34 and 35 have pilot portions 'and the juncture of the pilot portions 40 and 41 with the body of the respective plunge'rs' engage the ends. of the Since the outside diameter of the plungers-is substantially the same as the O. D. of the blank, both.

blank.

blank and. plungers fit snugly within the head recess 5 of the dies 2. The pilot portions fit snugly within the ends of the blank and the dimensions and area of the shoulders 37 'and 38 are the same as the end faces of the blank." Rams 44 and 45 slide within the bore s of the plungers 34 and 35 respectively and preferably in initial position take substantially the position shown in with. theiriendface's as and 47 flush with the end faces 42 and 43 0f the pilot portions of the plungers respectively wherewith to bear collectively Y on the square end. of the right cylindrical slug -o f;fille rmaterial 11. t

In its general features of operation this modification is similar to the preferred form described above. Thus the plungers 34 and 35 are preferably adapted to be moved simultaneously toward each other and to contact the blank and correctly position it within the die before the forming takes place. Preferably also the rams 44 and 45, which again are independently movable with respect to the plungers, preferably impose a desirable preliminary pressure upon the filler material ll which is confined within the blank, just prior to the beginning of the forming operation. It will be noted one of the main distinctions of the present modification over the preferred form is that the hol ow plungers not only impose fiowing stresses upon the blank through their shoulders 37 and 38 but also through the end faces 42 and 43 of their pilot portions also impose pressure on and displace filler material 131. The rams 4'4 and 4:: in this instance therefore do not have the whole burden of displacing filler material but share it with the plungers. For the same reasons the rate of displacement of filler material is not a direct and sole function of ram speed and movement but rather depends upon the speeds and movements of both the rams and plungers. Therefore while the plungers 3d and 35 move through a stroke 81, shown in Figure 5, equal to the stroke Sl, shown in Figure 2, the rams i; an 45 will have moved through a stroke S3 which will be smaller than the stroke S2, assuming that the blank 1 and the finished piece P are respectively the same in both instances. The amount by which the stroke 53 is less than the stroke S2 is proportionate to the relationship of the size of the rams l3 and 14 to the smaller sizes of the rams 44 and 4-5, and this follows from the fact that in the modification shown in Figures 4 and 5 the net displacement of filler material is a function of the differential between the rate of displacement of filler by the end areas of the ends of the pilots of the plungers and the end areas of the ends of the rams. Thus the stroke and average speed of the rams in this modification is to the'stroke and average speed of the lun ers as the volume of the finished iece P, less the P a volume of filler material displaced by the plungers, is to the initial volume of the blank 1. It will thus be seen that the stroke and movement of the rams, in this modification, being a function of the relative effective filler displacing area of the end faces of the rams compared to the effective filler displacing area of the end faces of the plungers may, depending on the relation of these areas and the net change of volume between the blank and the finished piece, be specifically greater or less than S3 as shown and may be zero or even be negative to fulfill the teachings and precepts of my invention. Under all circumstances, however, whether the rams move much or little or positively or negatively the rams always exert a desirable and/or desirably high and continuous pressure on the filler material substantially from the beginning through and to the end of the working stroke of the plungers wherewith to maintain the maximum useful pressure in and throughout the filler material to cause it to play substantially the same useful part in the working of the piece in substantially the same way described more fully in respect to the preferred form of my invention. That is to say, the quantity of filler material initially engaged between the ends of the rams and the ends of the plunger pilots will be completely confined and worked and subjected to a continuous substantially uniform pressure and induced to flow into the extruded branch it) of the piece at the most desirable rate and under the most desirable substantially constant pressure.

When the areas of the ends of the rams are such in relation to areas of the ends of the pilots that the rams may exert their pressure on the tiller without movement while the ilots displace the proper volume of filler material at the desired rate into the extruded leg, then the areas of the pilots may be expressed in the propertion: Cross-sectional area of filler material displaced by ends of pilots is to the whole internal cross-sectional area of the blank as the volume of finished piece P is to initial volume of the blank 1. The areas of the rams thereupon equals the dilference between the cross-sectional area of the blank and the areas of the ends of the pilots. In this relationship the ends of the rams theoretically might initially be brought into end to end contact in the middle of a hollow slug of filler and remain in substantial contact throughout the working strokes since the pressure on and in the filler and the flow and displacement thereof induced by the pilots will substantially correspond to the intended optimum to facilitate working the piece without injury thereto; the filler material being entirely confined and held under a desirable pressure throughout the working stroke and none of the filler material bein" urged or permitted to flow other than in the direction of extension of metal toward and into the leg being formed. As will more fully appear below I have observed the mechanical problem of supporting the free ends of rams transversely in the stream of flow of filler material to the leg of a T and therefore refer to the above procedure as theoretical except in the instance of making crosses or other forms where the flow of filler transversely of the exposed end of rams is symmetrical.

The modified form of my invention shown in Figures 6 and 7 departs from the preferred form shown in Figures 1 and 2 in that while the hollow plunger 54 with the ram 55 may be substantially identical with the plunger 2%) and ram 14-, the oppositely disposed plunger 50 has an integrally formed pilot 51 extending into the blank 1 and closely fitting the interior of the blank and preferably occupying substantially the same position within the blank as the end of the pilot 13 in the initial working position, cf. Figures 1 and 7. In this modification the pilot portion 51 of the plunger 5i terminates in a square annular shoulder 52, the shoulder having a radial depth substantially equalling the thickness of the stock of the blank wherewith the plunger Sll will engage the right end of the blank through the shoulder 52. Freferably the pilot portion extends into the blank as far as practicable consistent with the length of the leg lit to be extruded and the pilot terminates in a forward filler engaging face 53. The plunger 54 with the ram 55 independently movable therein is intended to be moved equally and oppositely of the plunger 5%; the plungers 54 and 5d engaging the ends of the blank l and forcing the metal to flow in substantially the same Way that the plungers l9 and 2t) illustrated in Figure 1 act upon the metal of the blank. In this modification, however, the filler material 11 is engaged and confined between the end face 53 of the pilot 51 and the end face 56 of the ram 55 wherefore all of the compensation for the diminishing volume of the piece during the working thereof is effected by the proper difierential speeds and movements between the single ram 55 and the hollow plunger 54. Inasmuch as the stroke of the pilot 51 is the same as the strokes S1 of the plungers, the stroke S4 of the ram 54 will be less than the stroke S2 of each of the rams l3 and 14 by an amount which is substantially twice the difference between the strokes S1 and S2 for the plungers 19 and 2d and the rams 13 and 14 respectively. In this form of my invention it is practicable to drive the plun ers positively as by the hydraulic motors 2 and 26 shown in Figure 3 and to drive the ram 54 as by the pneumatic motor 28; preferably, as in the preferred form, maintaining a substantially constant maximum desirable pressure on the ram 54 from the beginning throughout the working stroke of the plungers. This form of my invention permits substantially the same operation and results as the preferred form and saves the employment of one of the motors or mechanisms for driving one of the independently movable rams.

In this as in the other forms of my invention I prefer tonse a minimum gross volume, of filler material con sistent with my objects and purposes. In all of the forms and practice of my invention after the leg lll of the piece P has been formed toits desired length the plungers are withdrawn; the halves of the die 2 separated and the piece ejected. Thereupon' the filler material is removed and trimmed as may be desired. If polyethylene glycol has been used in theforms which I prefer, its'removal' from the piece before or after trimming the end of the extruded branch is facilitated by the low melting point or the high solubility of the filler. The T or other branched form of finished piece; i. e., finished with respect to the primary formation thereof according to the instant invention, may thereafter be used directlyror worked addition- .ally as by forming sockets in the ends of the branches ill "the closed end of the "extruded branch shaped and/or displacement of the fillerrmaterial into the branch or branches being extruded, while maintaining on the filler material and between the filler material and the interior surfaces of the piece a desirably 'high hydrostatic pressure which however is retained below a deleterious value.

In all forms of my invention the filler material is continuously confined within the piece and within the di-' minishing volume thereof and the mass of filler material extrusion; of the branch or branches wherewith to in fiuence that extrusion favorably and to aid especially in the Working and flowing of the metal around the corners of the intersection of the head with the legs or other- In all forms of my.in--

branches ofthe finished piece; vention a desirably highinitialpressure is :created in to the'beginning of the direct working of the metal-of the blank and the beneficiently high pressure is maintained continuously and substantially uniformly through- 1 out the whole time of working the piece; the pressure in and exerted by the filler in and upon the piece never being subjected to sharp changes positively 'or negatively whether ;incident to intended relief ion-merely without control. f a

While I have illustrated and described preferrediand modified" forms of my invention and preferred and illustrative means with which the samemay be practiced, changes, modifications and improvement therein will occur'to those skilled in the art who come to understand the underlying and fundamental principles hereof and the teachingsof this specification, andI do not care to be limited in the scope of my patent to the, form orforms' of my. invention herein specifically illustratedand described or many mannerother than by the claims ap pended hereto. 1. 1 t f 2: r

Iclaim:

l; The "method 'of forming a branch fitting from: a tubular. blankiwhich comprises providing 'a quantity of flowable incompressible filler material in the intermediate portions of the blank, supporting the blank'in a diehaving a straight passage in which the blank is 'received,'and a branchpa'ssage connecting with" said main passage into "which material of the blank and filler'material are to be worked to form the ifitting, supporting the blank and filler material in the die against movement toward an end; thereon-engaging the'other end of the blank with an annu lar plunger, engaging the other end of the filler material with a ram fitting within the plunger,'*applying" a force as a whole is constrained to flow in the direction of. the

the filler material and'interiorly of'the blank at or prior that sufl'icient to burst the blank, positivelymoving the plunger against the end of the blank to shorten the blankand efiect a flow of the'material of the blank and filler material into thebranch passage, and, during such movement of the plunger effecting movement of the ram: en-" tirely independently of the movement of the plunger to maintain the pressure within the blank substantially con- 7 T having a straight passage in which the blank is received;

and a'branch passage connecting with said. main passage intowhich material of the blank and filler material are to be'worked to form the fitting, engaging both ends of the blank with annularplungers, engaging both ends of the filler material with rams fitting within the annular plungers, applying a force to the filler material, by means of the rams to build up pressure within the filler material near to but less than suflicient to burst the blank, posi tively moving theplungers against the ends of said blank to shorten the blank and effect a flow of the material of the blank and filler material into the branch passage, and

during'such movement of the plungers, effecting movement of the rams entirely independently of the movement of the plungers to maintain the pressure within th blank substantially constant. 7 V

3. The method as defined in claim 2 in which the annular plungers have end surfaces shaped to engage and fit the ends of the blank, and the rams have end portions fitting snugly within the ends of the blank.

4.- The method as defined in claim 2 in which the annular plungers have reducedrend portions fitting snugly within the ends of the blank, and the rams have end surfaces engaging the filler material of substantially less diameter than the internal diameter of the blank.

'5. In the method of reshaping a generally cylindrical metal tube into a fitting having a laterally extending branch portion, the steps comprising at, least partially filling the tube with a plastic core material that is solid at room temperature and'provides substantial frictional contact with the inner surface of the tube, supporting the tube in a die'having a straight passageway in'which the blank is received and a branch passageway connecting Withthe straight passageway into whieh the material of the tube and the core material areto be worked to form the fitting, engaging each end of the tube with. an an- I of the core material is moved a lesser nular plunger, engaging each end of the core material with a ram fitting within the annular plunger and ,simul-. taneously moving both rams and plungers arially of the tube at difierent rates to apply force to the tube and core material to thereby displace a portionof the core branch passageway at a rate required to provide cover-' ing for the core material displaced into said branch passageway which is for the greater portion generally of uniform thickness and to thereby prevent rupturing of the,.tube.. u

6. The method called for in claim 5 wherein each end distance than the ends of said tube. r 1

7. The method called for in claim plungers engage ,a portion of the ends of the core mate to the' filler material by'means of the ram to buildup- V a pressure'within the fillersmaterial near to but less than rial as well as the, ends of the tube.

8. The method of reshaping a generally cylindrical metal tube 1 into a fittingrhaving' a laterally extending branch portion which comprises the steps of at, least partially filling the tube with a plastic' c'ore material that is solid at room temperatureand provides substantial 5 wherein said 1 13 way in which the tube is received and a branch passageway connecting with the straight passageway into which the material of the tube and the core material are to be worked to form the fitting, engaging one end of the tube and core material with support means to oppose movement of the tube and core material out of the passage- Way by forces applied to the opposite end thereof, engaging the opposite end of the tube with an annular plunger, engaging the opposite end of the core material With a ram fitting within the annular plunger, and simultaneously moving both the ram and plunger axially of the tube at difierent rates to apply force to the tube and core material to thereby displace a portion of the core material and a portion of the tube material laterally into said branch passageway, the movement of said plunger and ram being controlled relative to one another such that the tube material is displaced into said branch passageway at a rate required to provide covering for the 14 core material displaced into said branch passageway which is for the greater portion generally of uniform thickness and to thereby prevent rupturing of the tube.

9. The method defined in claim 8 in which said plunger engages a portion of the end of the core material as well as the end of the tube.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 616,764 Bourke Dec. 27, 1898 2,027,285 Parker Jan. 7, 1936 2,111,695 Seeber et a1. Mar. 22, 1938 2,203,868 Gray et al June 11, 1940 2,206,741 Cornell July 2, 1940 2,331,430 Shoemaker Oct. 12, 1943 2,375,599 Walton May 8, 1945 2,603,175 Wurzburger July 15, 1952 

